Disabled Parking

Blue Badge Scheme

The Blue (formerly Orange) Badge Scheme provides a national arrangement of on and off street parking concessions enabling people with severe walking difficulties who travel either as drivers or passengers to park close to their destinations. The Scheme also applies to registered blind people, people with severe upper limb disabilities in both arms who regularly drive a vehicle, and children under two with specific medical conditions.

There is no upper age restriction but badges will not normally be issued to children under the age of 2. This is because regulations state that they can easily be carried in a pushchair or pram. However, those children under the age of 2 who need to be accompanied by bulky medical equipment, or who have an unstable medical condition that means they must always be kept near a motor vehicle that either holds medical treatment or allows them to be taken to a place where they can receive treatment, may be eligible for a badge.

Who can use a Blue Badge?

The Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions guidelines for the Blue Badge Scheme state that you automatically qualify for a badge if:

• You receive the higher rate of the mobility component of the Disability Living Allowance;
• You receive a War Pensioner's Mobility Supplement;
• You use a motor vehicle supplied for disabled people by a Government Health Department;
• You are registered as completely blind;
• You have a severe disability in both upper limbs and regularly drive a motor vehicle, but cannot turn the steering wheel of a motor vehicle by hand even if that wheel is fitted with a turning knob.

There may also be some discretionary criteria applied by the local administering authority, in this case, Leicestershire County Council.

Temporary Conditions/Disability

Badges are only issued where a condition/disability is permanent. Temporary conditions, such as a broken leg, or conditions where the effect of a disability is intermittent in nature are not usually eligible for a Blue Badge.

How do I Apply for a Badge?

Badges are issued for a period of 3 years. Application forms for renewal are sent on request. These should be applied for at least 4 weeks before the expiry date of your current badge.

Please allow at least 3 weeks for processing your application for a badge. This also includes applicants who have previously held a badge. Only one badge will be issued per person.

To apply for a blue badge visit Leicestershire County Council's website by clicking on the link below, or contact them at the following address:

Leicestershire County Council
Customer Service Centre
Passenger Transport Unit
Leicestershire County Council
County Hall
Glenfield
Leicester
LE3 8ST

Email: customerservices@leics.gov.uk
Website: Blue Badge Scheme.

Phone: 0116 305 0001
Fax: 0116 305 0006
Minicom: 0116 305 0007